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Calls to Utah Poison Control about weight loss drug misuse have skyrocketed, with a shocking 600% jump that has experts worried about how people are using these medications. They're advising caution with drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy, which contain semaglutide. These drugs have become extremely popular lately, and now there's a shortage, so the FDA is allowing compounded versions.
Amberly Johnson, director of Utah Poison Control, is alarmed by the increase in calls. "We've seen an increase—about a 600% increase in calls reported to us," Johnson stated. Many of these calls stem from individuals mistakenly taking incorrect doses of the compounded version of semaglutide. Johnson noted that some callers reported accidentally administering 10 times the intended amount, leading to severe side effects.
Misusing these weight loss drugs can have serious consequences. Taking too much can result in severe vomiting, diarrhea, and prolonged illness. Since 2020, they've seen over 300 cases of people having issues with these drugs, and more than 100 of those were just this year. Alarmingly, nearly a third of these cases resulted in hospitalization.
These weight loss medications are now widely available - from doctor's offices and spas to mail-order services. Akram Refaat, who works at a pharmacy in Salt Lake County, says people have misconceptions about these medications, believing that a higher dose of the drug could result in faster weight loss.
"This is also a risk with an unmonitored medication like that," Refaat said. "The source can be an untrustworthy source, and then the patient can go ahead and misuse it."Â
Poison Control experts and doctors are emphasizing the importance of caution and proper knowledge when using these weight loss drugs. Refaat advises consulting with a doctor or pharmacist before starting these medications. "It makes perfect sense to me for a medication that sells the dream of losing weight to cause this kind of complaint," he remarked, highlighting the allure of quick weight loss solutions and the potential for misuse.
Utah Poison Control urges people to research these drugs thoroughly and seek help if unsure.
